Tashkent Suzani

Suzanis are dowery embroidered pieces that are formed by several panels that are embroidered by the female members of the bride’s family and then are stitched together lengthwise to form large panels that can be used as bedcovers, wallhanging or any other domestic purpose.

Suzanis can be traced to their exact origins according to their decorating style. Two different kinds of suzanis come out of Tashkent, “paliak” (moon design) and “gulkurpa” (flower cloth). Paliak suzanis are decorated with a field of circles and the embroidery covers the whole ground. This suzani represents the gulkurpa type which usually has one or more large circular shapes in the center with several small floral designs surrounding it. Also, gulkurpa suzanis leave much of the ground exposed.

This suzani has a large circular blossom in red with sixteen leaf shaped palmettes embroidered in the same color. This combination forms a very large sun like design. On each of the inside corners of the inner border, there are three red circular blossoms that have small blue flowers surrounding them. Along the main border there are fourteen large shrubs that are evenly spaced apart.

Circa: c. 19th Century

Origin: Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Material: Silk embroidery on cotton

Condition: Repaired holes to ground, backed and in good but delicate condition

Dimensions: 84" 65"

Inventory number: WR3867

$4,400

This Tashkent suzani has a large circular blossom in red with sixteen leaf shaped palmettes in red. This combination forms a large sun like design.